Italian embassy to clear 20,000 visa applications by Dec: Foreign adviser
The Italian Embassy in Dhaka has committed to processing 20,000 pending visa applications by this December, Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain has said.
At a press briefing at his ministry today, he said, "Many visa applications have been pending for a long time, despite 20,000 cases already being cleared from Rome. Progress in issuing those visas is very slow."
"In discussions with the Italian ambassador, the embassy assured that the backlog would be addressed by the end of the year. To expedite the process, the embassy plans to recruit an additional two to three officers, which is expected to increase the speed of visa issuance," he added.
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Currently, around 40,000 visa applications have been submitted to the Italian embassy. A 10-member delegation representing long-awaited Italian work visa applicants met with the Foreign Affairs Adviser at the Foreign Ministry to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, the visa seekers sought all-out cooperation from the government for a quick solution to the problem, including their various sufferings due to the delay in issuing visas.
The Foreign Affairs Adviser advised the delegation to refrain from organising protests, gatherings, or blockades, emphasising that such actions would not help the situation. He warned that such activities might cause further delays if embassy staff become concerned and leave their posts.
"We are exerting pressure on the Italian embassy, and I am hopeful that the issue will be resolved peacefully," Hossain added.
Adviser on expatriates' return from Lebanon
Regarding the return of expatriates from Lebanon, Touhid Hossain said the government has asked expatriates to prepare a list of those wishing to return. In light of the escalating conflict, the expatriates have been advised to move further north, away from the war-affected areas.
"We have also requested the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to arrange flights for their safe return," he said, emphasising the government's efforts to ensure the safety and repatriation of its citizens.
